shogun

1 of 2

noun (1)

sho·​gun ˈshō-gən 

: one of a line of military governors ruling Japan until the revolution of 1867–68

shogunal

ˈshō-gə-nəl 

adjective

shogunate

ˈshō-gə-nət 

-ˌnāt

noun

shogunate

2 of 2

noun (2)

sho·​gun·​ate ˈshōgənə̇t 

-ˌnāt

plural -s

: the office, dignity, or government of a shogun

Examples of shogun in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The new season follows Mizu, the titular sword fighter, on her journey to London while characters Akemi, Taigen and Ringo pursue separate paths in Japan under a new shogun. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2026

The underlying goal of the museum is to let visitors experience how daily life has changed over the 420-plus years since Tokugawa Ieyasu was appointed shogun by emperor Go-Yōzei, establishing Edo as the new seat of government. — Jonathan Delise, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026

Serving as tea master to military leaders, or shoguns, who supported his activities, Rikyū transformed the tea ceremony to reflect ideals of wabi. — The Conversation, 7 Jan. 2026

That changed after the shoguns began to see Christianity as a threat. — Foster Klug, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Japanese shōgun

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1727, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shogun

• bogan
• brogan
• slogan
• yogin

Kids Definition

shogun

noun

sho·​gun ˈshō-gən 

: any of a line of military governors ruling Japan until the revolution of 1867–68